Bicycle-seat



NiTnD STATES PATENT rricn.

vROBERT n. HELMOR'E, or wnsT BAY CITY, MICHIGAN.

BICYCLE-SEAT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 568,977, dated October 6, 1896.

Application filed August 24:, 1895- SSAIZLI N0- 560,380 (N0 IROC-lei.)

To all luft/)7n it mfrty/ concern,.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT E. HELMORE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Test Bay City, in the county of Bay and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycle-Seats, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to improvements in bicycle-seats in which an air-cushion is employed in lieu of metallic springs; and it has for its object to improve the construction of the seat-bar and to so secure the seat thereon that the rider, while on the wheel,77 may adjust the seat forward or back, according to the position of his body, and be enabled in all positions to have a comfortable support.

Lith such objects in view the invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts, all as more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure l isa view of a portion of a bicycle-frame, showing the strut member partly in section. Fig. 2 is a sectional perspective illustrating the construction of the seat-bar and the connection between thc bar and head-block of the connecting-rod. Fig. is a longitudinal section through the head-block.

A is the backbone or compression member of a bicycle-frame. B is the strut member. These two tubes I preferably brace by the brace C, the upper end of the brace being extended above the tube A to form the socket D, preferably split, so that it may be clamped upon the pin E.

In the upper end of pin E is pivoted the forward end of 1the seat-bar F, which is preferably cruciform in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 2.

Gis a block having suitable guide-grooves to engage upon the bar F. In its upper surface it is provided with sockets or grooves a., in which are balls D, which rest against the under side of the horizontal flanges or ribs of the seat-bar. To this block'is pivoted the rod Il, which enters a cylinder I, preferably secured in the upper end of the tube B, and at its lower end provided with a piston J, tit ting in the cylinder.

K is a nut or gland in the top of the cylinder through which thc rod passes.

L are adjustable nuts on the rod II, and which act as stops to limitthe outward or upward movement of the piston.

M is a valved nipple to which a pump may be attached for pum ping air into the cylinder beneath the piston.

N is a grooved block, sliding on the seatbar, having guide-flanges N embracing the horizontal ribs thereof, and to which the saddle, of any desired construction, is secured.

The parts being thus constructed, they are intended to be used as follows: The rider pumps up the air-pressure in the cylinder I beneath the piston J to give a spring which will be satisfactory according' to his weight, the pist-on being held from upward movement by the stops or nuts L. I'Vhen the desired pressure is obtained, the rider mounts the saddle in the usual way and the air-cushion beneath the piston forms a resilient support for the saddle, which latter may be of any desired construction. The rider while in transit may by moving his body horizontally adjust his saddle forward and back to any desired point on the seat-barF, between the pin E and block G, which serve as means for preventing the accidental displacement of the seat-block from the seat-bar. In the ordinary nse of the bicycle, however, the strain on the seat is at such an angle t-o the seat-bar that the block N will not slide in its ordinary use.

The height of the seat and the size of the air-cushion may be adj usted by adjusting the pin E vertically and by adj Listing the nuts L.

Such a construction gives the most satisfactory results for long-distance riding, as the operator is enabled to change his position and at the same time changethe relation of the seat, so as to obtain a comfortable seat at all times.

lVhat I- claim as my invention isl. In a bicycle, the combination with the fra-me, of a seat-bar hinged thereto at one end, a cylinder on the frame beneath the free end of the bar, a freely-movable piston-rod slidingly connected to the seat-bar at its upper end, and a piston on its lower end engaging in the cylinder, substantially as described.

2. In a bicycle, the combination with the frame, of a seatbar hinged thereto at one IOO end, a cylinder secured in the strut member f of the frame, t piston therein, a piston-rod projecting therethrough, :t block hinged to the upper end of the rod, with which the seatbztr has a sliding engagement, and a. seat on the seatebar, substantially as described.

3. In abicycle, the combination with the frame, of the socket D thereon, the pin E adjustably secured in the socket, the seat-bnr F hinged to the pin, a seat slidingl5T supported on the seat-bar, a cylinder beneath the free end of the seat-bar, at piston therein and zt connecting-rod between the piston and the sent-bar having a movable connection with the letter, for the purpose described.

4. In at bicycle, the combinntionwith the frame of a strutmember having a cylinder in the upper end thereof, a pump connection into said cylinder, piston in the cylinder, zt

ROBERT E. HELMORE.

Vitnesses XV. H. PHILLIPS, JOHN J. GAMERON. 

